Eclipse 2024 in Erie, PA

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible to fortunate observers in the United States along a narrow band, approximately 115 miles (185 km) wide, that will cross fifteen states from Texas to Maine.

Nothing there is beyond hope, nothing can be sworn impossible, nothing wonderful, since Zeus, father of the Olympians, made night from mid-day, hiding the light of the shining sun, and sore fear came upon men. Archilochus, Greek poet, following the total solar eclipse of 647 BCE

I decided to make this an 8 day roadtrip with Morfy. Leave From Philadelphia and head to Erie, Pa at Lake Erie to see this eclipse. On to Kalamazoo, MI to see an old friend. Then through Canada following Lake Erie to Buffolo, Toronto. Back through Niagra Falls into NY and onto the Finger Lakes Region in NY. Then Home back to Philly.

Completed as planned. Did about 2,100 miles in 8 days.

Aside

This guy has a lot of eclipse history. He also launched first eclipse cruise in 1972.
His first attempt was just for eclipse festivals in towns for the 1970 eclipse. In that era there does not seem to have been eclipse-tourism. Well, maybe for richer folks. "Then you flew your Learjet up to Nova Scotia To see the total eclipse of the sun." (Carly Simon, You're So Vain, 1972) He tried to have eclipse festivals in Towns like, Eclipse, VA and Nantucket, but they didn't want a town full of "Woodstock-type hippies" coming in for the weekend. So in 1972 he went for the Ocean Cruise route, and did them for the rest of his life.

First, here are 2 pictures TAKEN BY FRIENDS with real cameras and photographic knowledge.

The day before the eclipse in Indiana(photo credits to Anne and Rardy

The 2024 eclipse in Indiana

Second, here are 2 pictures from the 2017 eclipse

Me and Hyonmi waiting at the 2017 eclipse (not looking at sun), Near Columbia South Carolina Hyonmi and Morfy at our first eclipse.

Onto the 2024 road trip.

Erie

Erie was 100% totality. It must be like a super logarithmic scale, because even 99% totality is nothing like what you see and feel at 100% totality.

The weather turned out perfect. 800AM went shopping for snacks and packed lunch and assured a full tank of gas. Drove the lake road away from chaos in the city and found a wonderful little lakeside park. Hung out on the lake from around 1000AM until the big event in late afternoon. It was gorgeous and glad I came. Spent a lot of time exploring the Erie Beach with Morfy. Spent some time talking with yobo, and a little time crying.

Left out of there about 30 minutes after totality finished and headed towards Kalamazoo, Michigan for lunch with a friend the next day.

Michigan

In Kalamazoo met Adoree. It has been at least 30 years since I saw her last. Got to have lunch at the Blue Kitchella( a great little place if you are in the area) and catch up on our lives. Her son's are now in their mid 30's and her husband is still doing great.

Crossing the Border

Left Kalamazoo and headed to Detroit, Michigan, USA to cross the Ambassador bridge across the Detroit River and into Windsor, Ontario, Canada. (The Detroit river is part of the system of Great Lake Huron flowing into Great Lake Erie. Detroit is a place I'd like to come back and visit instead of just pass thru)

So getting onto the bridge is fairly straightforward. Coming off the bridge into Canada is a Customs Gate and associated backup. While idling in line I realized I'd forgotten Morfy's paperwork for rabies, etc. The signboards were pretty clear about requiring it! I found electronic copies in my emails, and well, I hope it is enough. I finally make it to the gate; I'm next, Yeah. The green lights all turn red and a parade of gate-officers leave their post as replacements saunter in. Ahhh, Shift Change. Takes them about 10 minutes to get in order and my light turns green.

I get there, and they simply ask a few innocuous questions typical at customs control in an Airport. They also ask where you going? (just a road trip. Taking the long way back to Philadelphia from the eclipse in Erie.) Have you ever been in Canada before? (No, except for a couple hours at niagra falls 10 years ago). You have any tobacco? (Yes, 2 packs of cigarettes)....

OK sir, You need to pull over to the inspection station to your right. Thankyou.

Wait, What??? So I go there, and pull in. There are 10 other guards there, fresh on to their shift as well. I have to get out of the car. 3 guards search the car, removing everything in it and going thru every bag, box, glove compartments, and cubby holes. The only question asked was about a ziploc bag they found that has about 10 tiny white pills in it labeled "cetirizine". I tell them it is an over the counter allergy medicine "Zyrtec". I stand around; friendly conversation with the guards; they haven't sent any cars except me since the shift change. Finally they say, OK you are good to go, but I needed to take this slip into the office over there. I go there, stand in line, and then get asked the same questions as before. To the question of have you ever been in Canada Before I replied

Well about 10 years ago me and my wife went to Niagara Falls and we spent a couple of hours on the French Side.

I paused a few seconds and corrected myself, I mean the Canada Side. She says nothing, I show her 2 packs of cigarettes, and I was on my way, legally in Canada. No one asked me anything about Morfy!

Canada

So I drove about 30 minutes into Canada, pulled over, re-packed my car from the disarray of the search. Then I moved on heading down to the highway that would taker me east along Lake Erie.

I was surprised how flat and agricultural the terrain was for most of Lake Erie. And how vacant it mostly was. It would take me 2 nights at my slow pace to get close to Niagra.

One reddittor when answering the question "Why aren't there any big cities along lake Erie in Canada?" responded

So it can retain its title as the worlds most boring drive (between Detroit and Toronto). It’s mind numbing.

I did not find it mind numbing. I stopped in at the few very small towns I came across;

I went through these places, and stopped, watched the lake for a few miunutes and moved on. If I found shops or a small restaurant walked around a little then moved on and if I found a motel, I stopped for the night.

Port Alma: Nothing to see here, a few wind turbines north of the lake in farm fields.

Port Stanley: Nice little beach town.

Port Burwell: This also likely has a lively summer shore town feel. (April is still off season). A few blocks of beaches, homes, and history.

Port Dover: A slightly larger town with seashore vibe. Had some good hotdogs there.

St. Thomas: A nice railway historical town. Has a Sculpture dedicated to the sad story of Jumbo the Elephant. A billboard brung me to this town. The Circus was in town in 1885. P.T. Barnum's greatest show on earth included Jumbo the elephant....

Standing at about 12 feet and weighing 7 tons, Jumbo was the largest elephant anyone had ever seen. He liked "Scotch whiskey, which he was given regularly" during the Atlantic crossing. Barnum planned to take his circus to England, where he hoped people would fill his tents to see Jumbo again. But a terrible accident, in 1885, put an end to that dream....

You should really read the link...

Port Rowan: A very small town, but there was a coffee shop and a selection of antique and art stores. I bought a small piece of pottery to commemrate this trip.

Onto Toronto

Cut notheast to bypass Niagra Falls and head to Totonto for the day. Toronto stands out on the horizon hours away from the place due to its tall buildings. I stopped at a nice little park outside of toronto in the suburbs on the shores of Lake Ontario. Starting to have urban suburban lakeview apartment styles similar to Seoul Apartments styles.

Driving Lake Ontario back to Niagra

This region is full of wineries and agricultural land. A few old towns along the lake and then the Niagra River. Stopped in and ate at several of those towns. I was able to get 2 nights on the lake hotel with a beautiful lakefront views from my room. Cheap too. Off season. From the hotel I could drive up to Niagra Falls Region and take in the sites and come back to the hotel for the evening.

St. Catherine: Another cute little historic town with things to do here. The 2024 International Rowing Championship will be here.

Niagra On The Lake: Wonderful colonial style town where the Niagara River comes into Lake Huron. This is a place to come back to and spend a few days.

Close to Niagra falls, many of the hotels along niagara river are still closed for the season. We could have gotten closer to the falls, but Morfy didn;t like even the small crowd that lined the plazaz near the falls.

Back to the States

Yesterday and Today, This song came on the radio several times. Haven't heard it since... Happy Talk by Stacey Kent. Sweet, melodic, happy..

Happy talkin', talkin', happy talk
Talk about things you'd like to do
You've got to have a dream
If you don't have a dream
How you gonna have a dream come true?
...
Talk about the moon floating in the sky
Looking like a lily on a lake
Talk about the bird learning how to fly
Making all the music he can make
...
Talk about the star looking like a toy
Peeking through the branches of a tree
Talk about the girl, talk about the boy
Counting all the ripples on the sea

Made it through immigratin with no issues!

The Finger Lakes

On to the Finger Lakes. Goal is to get near Watkins Glen at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. Stopped at Northern end of Canandaigu Lake; Then Geneva at the Top of Seneca Lake, then south to Watkins Glen. Lot of small stops along the way. May be some Bus Tours as well between the lakes.

Watkins Glen area is filled with small to medium size waterfalls. A wonderful place to walk around. Our favorite falls was Aunt Sarah's Falls.

Stayed one night. That's all I could muster.

Back to Philly

Went down Route 15 south towards Corning and then into Williamsport, PA. Lot of time on route 14/414. That's a great road. Made it home.

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